Locking device for motor vehicles



May 11, 1937. J. GONZALEZ- 2,079,992

LOCKING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES May 1l, 1937. J. GONZALEZ LOCKING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2l, 1936 INVENTOR. JUL o Go/vewL Ez ATTORNEYS May 11, 1937. J. GONZALEZ 2,079,992

LOCKING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 2l, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet :5`

f E 753 756 'K E7 INVENTOR. JUL 7 0` 60A/@fu Ez BY I ATTORNEYS Patented May 11, 1937 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Julio Gonzalez, Jersey City, N. J., assignor of onehalf to Matthew A. Greenberg Application January 21, 1936, Serial No. 60,084

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a locking device and refers more particularly to a device for maintaining the wheels of motor cars and other vehicles in a predetermined position upon rails or other supporting surfaces.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a locking device of simple and inexpensive construction, through the use of which the rolling of a vehicle upon a supporting surface is easily and conveniently prevented.

Another object is the provision of a locking device which may be adjustably mounted upon a support for automobiles or other vehicles, and which will engage the wheels of such vehicles to prevent any movement of these Wheels relatively to the support.

A further object is the provision of a locking device for vehicles which may be attached to a supporting surface of any suitable shape or form, and which may be adjusted to any desirable position upon said supporting surface.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a locking device which may be conveniently attached to automobile transporting trucks, movable rails, platforms or any other means which support a vehicle and which, at the same time, are movable along with said vehicle.

The above and other objects of the present invention may be realized through the provision of a bent arm, one end of which is adapted to contact the wheel of a vehicle, the other end of the bent arm being rotatably mounted in a casing provided with means gripping an edge of the surface supporting the vehicle.

That end of the bent arm which is rotatably mounted in the casing, is rmly connected and rotatable along with a member having a curved surface which cooperates withthe curved surface of a locking member pivotally mounted in said casing, to lock the first-mentioned member and the bent arm in a position in which the bent arm is situated in the path of the wheel of a vehicle. The two members are disengaged through the use of a suitable key or lever which is adapted to move the second-mentioned member out of engagement with the first-mentioned member, whereupon resilient means situated within the casing will swing the first-mentioned 'T member into an inoperative position.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top view of a pair of rails provided with locking devices constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of a locking device with certain parts shown in section.

Figure 3 is a section along the lines 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is partly a front View of and partly a section through a device of a somewhat different form.

Figure 5 is a section along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a; perspective view of the casing of the device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure '7 is a horizontal section through a locking device provided with two separate springs.

Figure 8 is a front view of a locking device of a somewhat different form.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side view of the looking device shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a transport for automobiles, the supporting surfaces of which are provided with locking devices constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The locking device shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings comprises an angular arm II having a horizontal portion I2 and a vertical portion i3 extending at right angles to the horizontal portion I2. The end I4 of the arm. II carries a pin i5. The end 22 of the arm Il and that part of the arm I I which passes through the casing 21 are preferably elongated in cross section, with two opposite round surfaces, as shown in Figure 3. The other portions of the arm II are preferably round in cross section.

An abutting member I6 comprises a substantially rectangular portion Il, the front surface 2G (Figure 1) of which is brought in contact with the wheel of a vehicle. This contacting surface of the member I1 is preferably curved so that it may conform to the curvature of the wheel. The abutting member I6 is provided with a sleeve I8 which is placed upon the end I4 of the arm II.

Preferably, the sleeve I8 is provided with a vertical slot I9 through which projects the pin I5. Due to this arrangement, the member It may be turned upon the arm i! within the limits of the slot i0. When the operative surface 20 is brought in contact with the wheel of the motor vehicle, the member I6 will be able to adjust itself to the size and curvature of the wheel by turning upon the arm under the pressure of the wheel.

The device for locking the arm Il in its operative position shown in. Figure l, is situated within a casing 2|. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end 22 of the bent arm passes through suitable openings formed in the casing 2|.

The bottom 23 of the casing 2| is considerably thicker than the other walls of the casing and serves as a support for a curved member 24 and the locking member 25. The curved member 24 is mounted upon that portion of the arm which is situated within the casing 2|, and is rotatable therewith. The locking member 25 is rotatably mounted upon a pivot 25 which is mounted in the top wall 2l' and the bottom wall 23 of the casing 2|.

As shown more clearly in Figure 3, the curved member 24, which is rotatable along with the arm is provided with substantially cylindrical surfaces 28 and has a projecting portion 25 having an edge 52.

The locking member 25 'comprises a central portion 33, which is provided with a bore hole surrounding the pivot 26. The portions 34 and 35 of the locking member 25 are situated substantially on opposite sides of the central portion 33. The portion 34 is provided with a projection 32 having an edge 63 and fitting into a corresponding groove 3| formed in the curved member 24. The same portion S4 of the locking member 25 is provided with an abutment 35 carrying one end of a coiled spring 31. As shown in Figure 2, the coiled spring 3l is partly situated within a groove 38 formed in the cylindrical surface 2S of the curved member 24. The opposite end of the spring 31 is attached to a pin 39 carried by the member 24.

The portion 35 of the locking member 25, which is situated on the opposite side of the portion 34, is provided with an opening 45. This opening, which has the form of a narrow bore hole, is situated opposite an opening 4| provided in the side Wall 59 of the casing 2|.

Stop pins 66 and 6l are carried by the bottom 23 of the casing 2| and are used for limiting the rotation of the curved member 24.

A sleeve 42 is moimted upon the end 22 of the bent arm and is connected therewith by a pin 58 which passes through the sleeve 42 and the endportion 22. The sleeve 42 is provided with a projection 43 forming an integral part of the sleeve. The projection 43 has a cam surface 44 which presses against the surface 45 of a lever or support 46.

The casing 2| is provided one or more projections 4I which constitute an integral part of the bottom wall 23 of the casing 2|. These projections carry a pin 43 which also passes through the lever 46, thus pivotally connecting the lever 45 with the casing 2|. rIhe upper portion of the lever 45 carries an adjustable bolt 48a, which is screwed into a threaded opening provided in the lever 4G.

The side wall 49 and the top wall 2'1 of the casing 2| are irmly connected with a gripping member 5G which preferably constitutes an integral part of the casing 2|.

As shown in Figure 2, the surface 5| of the gripping member 5U corresponds in form to the adjacent surface of the edge 52 of the support 53. In the example illustrated, the support 53 has a flat surface 54 carrying a wheel of a vehicle, and a raised edge 52, the gripping member 59 being placed over the edge 52.

The wall 49 of the casing 2| is provided with an opening. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a bolt 55 carried by the portion 35 of the locking member 25 passes through this opening in the locked position of the device and engages the end surface 55 of the edge 52.

The edge 52 of the support 53 is gripped from the other side by the bolt 48a pressing against the lower surface 56 of the support 53.

Brackets .nl may be also provided for the purpose of maintaining the grip of the locking device upon the edge 52 of the support only one of the brackets being illustrated in the drawings. Each of the brackets 57 consists of a piece of angle iron which is adjustably attached to the casing 2| by a bolt 52. The surface ci the bracket 5I is in eng-agement with the lower surface 56 of the support 53. The position oi the bracket 51 upon the casing 2| may be adjusted by any suitable means, for instance, by means of an elongated slot (not shown) through which the bolt 58 is passed.

The device is operated as follows:

In the position shown in the drawings, the arm is locked, since the projection 32 of the locking member 25 is situated within the groove 3| of the curved member 24. In this position the member l' is situated in the path of the wheel of a vehicle, and will prevent the wheel from moving any further, as shown in Figure l. Due to the simplicity of the construction of the device, it can be subjected to severe pressures without any danger of breakage.

In order to unlock the device, it is necessary to insert a key 55 (Figure 3) through the opening 4| formed in the wall E5 of the casing 2|. The key 59, is inserted into the bore hole 4u provided in the locking member 25. The device is unlocked merely by moving the key 5B in the direction of the arrow 5| This will cause the locking member 25 to swing around its pivot 2S, thereby removing the projection 32 out of the groove 3| of the curved member 24, and increasing the tension of the spring 3'?. The spring El will press the edge 52 of the projecting portion 25 against the adja" cent surfaces of the projection 32, until the edge 52 of the projection 25 is moved beyond the edge 63 of the projection 32.

As soon as the projection E2 has moved beyond the projection 53, the member 24 is freed and is swung by the spring 31 in a direction opposite to that of the .arrow 54 until it is stopped by the pin 66.

The key is not necessary for the purpose ci locking the device, since such locking may be accomplished merely by rotating the arm l in the direction of the arrow 54. When the arm is rotated in this manner, the tension of the spring 3T is gradually increased and the edge 52 of the projection 2S slides over the adjacent surfaces of the projection 52 until the members 24 and 25 .assume the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the arm is securely locked by the locking member 25.

At the same time the portion 43 of the sleeve 42 presses downward upon the lever 45, thereby causing the bolt 42a, to press against the surface 56 of the support 53.

The casing 2i of the locking device is rmly attached to the support 53 by the bolt 42a carried by the lever 45 and by the bolt G5 carried by the locking member 25.

When the device is unlocked, the casing 2i is held upon the support 53 by the gripping memshown'in Figure 3, .f

ber I] and the bracket 51, and may be shifted along the edge 52 of the support 53 to a new position.

'I'he locking device shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings is similar to the one described and comprises a bent arm 10, one end of which carries an abutting member 1Ia adapted to contact the wheel of a vehicle. The opposite end of the bent arm 'i0 passes through a casing 1I and carries a sleeve 12 which is attached to the arm I0 by means of the pin 13. The inner walls 12a of the sleeve 12 are conical in form, so that the sleeve 12 can turn slightly around the pin 13. A curved member 1.4, which is rotatable along with the 1c, is situated within the casing 1| and carries one end of a coiled spring 15. The member 14 is provided with a projection 92 and a groove 16 which cooperates with the projection 11 of a locking member 18. The locking member 13; is rotatably mounted upon a pivot 19 carried by the casing 1| and comprises a lever 80 projecting through an opening 8| formed in the casing 1I. The lever 8|! is provided with a projection 09 which passes through an opening formed i in the casing 1I and presses against a wall of the support 03 when the device is locked.

In the example illustrated, the casing 1I is provided with a hook-shaped gripping member 82, which constitutes an integral part of the casing 1I. As shown in Figure 4, the support carrying the locking device has the form of an angle iron 93 provided with a slot 83 extending in the longitudinal direction of the supportJ or rail 93. The gripping member 82 projects into the slot 83,

f' thereby holding the casing 'II in place. The

lower edge of the support 93 may be brought in contact with a projection 84 which forms an integral part of the sleeve 12 and which is rotatable along with the arm 10. Another projection 85 is situated on the opposite side of the projection 30. and also forms an integral part of the sleeve 12. The projection 85 contacts the support 80 which forms a part of the casing 1|. The rail 03 is firmly gripped by the member 82, the projection 99 and the projection 84 when the locking device is in the locked position.

As shown in Figure 6, the gripping member 82 may comprise two separate projecting tongues 81 and 88, projecting through the slot 83 formed in the support 83 and separated by a cut-out portion 09.

In the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the device is illustrated in its locked position. In order to unlock the device it is merely necessary to move the lever 8|] in the direction of the arrow 9|] shown in Figure 5. The locking member I8. swinging around its pivot 19 will move the projection 11 out of engagement with the groove 'IE of the member 14. At the same time, the member 18 will pull at the spring 15 since an end of this spring is attached to the projection 9| of the member 10. The spring 15 will press the projection 32 of the member 14 against the adjacent surfaces of the locking member 18 until the projection 02 will move past the projection I'I of the member 18. Then the device will be unlocked so that the arm may be freely turned within limits dened by the pins 81 and 98. The turning of the lever Sil will move the projection out of engagement with the surface of the rail S2, thereby freeing the casing 1|. Consequently, in the inoperative position of the device, the casing 1| with its arm 10 may be shifted lengthwise along the support 93 within the eX- tent limited by the dimensions of the slot 83.

In order to lock the device, it is merely necessary to turn the arm 10 in the opposite direction until the projection S2 is moved past the projection 11. Then the projection 'H .will be inserted into the groove and the device will be locked again.

'I'he device shown in Figure 7 of the drawings comprises two springs |00 and IIJI. The casing |02 of the device carries a pin |03 to which the adjacent ends of the springs |00 and I5! are attached. The opposite end of the spring I is attached toa pin |04 carried by a curved member |05 which is keyed upon the bent arm |00. The opposite end of the spring 3| is attached to the projection |01 of the locking member |08 rotatably mounted upon a pivot E00 carried by the casing |02. The locking member |08 comprises a lever H0 projecting through an opening I I I formed in the casing |02. The locking member |00 comprises also a projection It! fitting into a groove I I 3 formed in the member |05 which is also provided with a projection IM. An adjustable bolt I I9 which is carried by the lever i IQ, presses against a surface of the support carrying the vehicle. limited by stop-pins I|1 and IIS.

The device operates in substantially the same manner as those already described. In order to unlock the device, the lever IIS is turned in the direction of the arrow II5 thereby extending thc coiled spring |0I and moving the projection GIE beyond the projection |I4. As soon as the pro jection II 4 is freed, the spring |00 will turn the member |05 in the direction of the arrow IIE. thereby unlocking the device. the device, it is merely necessary to turn the arm |06 in a direction opposite to that of the arrow IIS, until the projection H2 fits into the groove I|3 of the member |05.

The device illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 ci the drawings comprises a bent arm |20, one end of which carries the abutting member E 2 S, which is adapted to contact the wheel of an automobile. The opposite end of the bent arm |29 is situated within a casing |2I. The device for locking the arm |20 and for unlocking the same is similar to those already described and is not illustrated in the drawings. The casing I2| is firmly connected with or forms a part of an angular bracket |22. The horizontal portion |23 of the angular bracket |22 comprises two vertical holes I'lfi and |25 through which are passed the bolts or rivets |25. The vertical portion of the bracket 22 comprises tvvo projections |21 and |28. The projection |21 is provided with an opening |29, while the projection |28 is provided with a similar opening |30. Bolts or rivets I3! may be passed through the openings |29 and |30. The bolts or rivets |26 and |3| are used for attaching the casing I2I of the locking device to the angular rail |32.

The practical application of the locking devices constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 10 of the drawings. Figure l shows a pair oi supports or rails 53 carrying the two front |40 and I4| and the two rear wheels |02 and it?, of an automobile. The locking device A is in engagement with the right hand rear wheel |552 thereby preventing the motor car from rolling backwards. A second locking device B is in en gagement with the left hand front wheel MI or. the automobile to prevent it from rolling forward. A locking device G may be placed in front of the rea-r wheel |43 and used instead of the lock- The rotation of the member 35 is In order to lock f1 CII ing device A. When the device G is unlocked its bent arm may be turned in the direction of the arrow |49 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 10 shows a motor truck E50 carrying tv/o automobiles E53 and E52. The motor car i5! is supported upon a substantially at surface 53, while the motor car E52 is carried by an inclined surface l 513. Preferably four locking devices C and D are used for locking the automobile S51, only two of these devices being shown in the drawings. The locking devices C are situated in front of the front wheels 55 of the automobile iEl, While the locking devices D are situated behind the rear Wheels |56 of the car 55.

The motor car 52 is locked by four locking devices E and F each of which is situated behind its repective wheel and is carried by the inclined surface 54. In the example illustrated, the front wheels l5? of the automobile E52 are held by the locking devices E, while the rear wheels |53 are held by the locking devices F.

What is claimed is:

l. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having one end adapted to extend across the path of a Wheel or other object to stop the same, a curved member carried by said arm at the opposite end thereof and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member adapted to engage said curved member to lock the same, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, and means carried by said casing for attaching the same to a support adapted to carry said object.

2. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having one end adapted to extend across the path of a wheel or other object to stop the same, a curved member carried by said arm at the opposite end thereof and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member adapted to engage said curved member to lock the same, and resilient means connected with said curved member and said locking member and pressing said locking member against said curved member.

3. A locking device for vehicles, comprising a bent arm having one end adapted to extend across the path of a wheel of a vehicle to stop the same,

a curved member carried by said arm at the opposite end thereof and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member adapted to engage said curved member to lock the same, a casing containing said curved member and said locking member, and gripping means carried by said casing for gripping a support carrying said wheel.

fi. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path ci the object to be locked, a curved member having' a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection fitting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casinU for attaching said casing to a support for said object, and resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member.

5. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with Said arm, a locking member having a projection iitting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking membei', means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, and a coiled spring connected with said locking member and said curved member and pressing the two members against each other.

6. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, a spring connected with said casing and said curved member, and another spring connected with said locking member and said casing, said springs pressing said locking member and said curved member against each other.

7. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection which fits into said groove, when said locking member is in its locking position, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, and a spring connected with said locking member and said curved member and pressing said locking member against said curved member, said locking member and said casing having openings formed therein for the insertion of a key to turn said locking member out of its locking position, thereby moving said projection out of said groove against the pressure of said spring and unlocking the device.

8. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along With said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, and a lever connected with said locking member and extending through an opening formed in said casing.

9. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a rotatable locking member having a projection tting into said groove in the locked position of said locking member, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, a spring connected with said curved member and said locking member, said curved member having another projection situated adjacent said groove, a rotation of said rotatable locking member from said locked position causing a tension of said spring and a removal of the rst-mentioned projection from said groove, whereby said spring moves the second-mentioned projection past the iirst-mentioned projection, thereby unlocking the device.

l0, A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, and an abutting member, that end of the bent arm which is adapted to extend across the path of said object carrying said abutting member which contacts said object to prevent further movement thereof. l

1l. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection fitting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, means carried by said casing for attaching said casing to a support for said object, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, an abutting member adapted to contact said object to prevent further movement thereof, said abutting member being rotatably mounted upon that portion of said arm which is adapted to extend across the path of said object, and means for limiting the rotation of said abutting member relatively to the portion of the arm carrying the same.

l2. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, a gripping member carried by said casing and adapted to be placed over an upper edge of a support adapted to carry said object, a member adapted to engage the lower edge of said support, and means connecting the last-mentioned member with said arm.

13. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, a gripping member connected to said casing and adapted to be placed over the upper edge of a supporting surface adapted to carry said object, a lever, means pivotally connecting said lever intermediate its ends with said casing, a bolt carried by one end of said lever and adapted to engage a lower edge of said supporting surface, and means connected with said arm and pressing against the opposite end of said lever.

14. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, a gripping member connected to said casing and adapted to be placed over the upper edge of a supporting surface adapted to carry said object, and an adjustable bracket carried by said casing and contacting the lower edge of said supporting surface.

l5. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a locking member having a projection fitting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, a gripping member connected to said casing and adapted to be placed over the upper edge of a supporting surface adapted to carry said object, and a sleeve carried by said arm and rotatable therewith, said sleeve having a projection adapted to engage the lower edge of said supporting surface.

16. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of th-e object to be locked, a. curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along 4with said arm, a locking member having a projection fitting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, and a gripping member connected with said casing and adapted to be inserted into an opening provided in a support adapted to carry said object.

17. A locking device, comprising a bent arm having a portion adapted to extend across the path of the object to be locked, a curved member having a groove formed therein and rotatable along with said arm, a looking member having a projection tting into said groove, a casing enclosing said curved member and said locking member, resilient means pressing said locking member against said curved member, a gripping member connected with said casing and adapted to be inserted into an op-ening provided in a support adapted to carry said object, said gripping member having the shape of a hook surrounding the upper edge of said support, and a sleeve rotatable along with said arm, ,said sleeve having a projection engaging a lower edge of said support.

18. A locking device, comprising rotary means having one end adapted to extend across the path of a wheel or other object to stop the same, a locking member adapted to engage said rotary means to lock the same, and means rotatably supporting the iirst-mentioned means for attaching the same to a support adapted to carry said object.

JULIO GONZALEZ. 

